Weekly Report for Cameron

New Iberia is steeped in the history and culture of the Acadians, those French speaking people who were kicked out of Canada by the British and traveled to southwest Louisiana. The down-home style of Cajun food and music is part of that culture, but there is also a sense of unique elegance and style.

When the long-term volunteers from Cameron decided to travel there to see the Tabasco plant, Avery Island, and Konriko Rice Mill, we knew we would see a variety of influences. When we decided to go Mr. Landry’s Lagniappe Too Restaurant, we knew we’d experience the best of Acadian style, plus some wonderful food prepared by Mrs. Landry. Since this was a return trip for some, we also knew we’d experience the most welcoming atmosphere as if being invited into Mr. Landry’s home. So, we decided to invite the New Iberia MDS volunteers to come and renew friendships over the evening meal.

Everything about the welcome at Lagniappe matched or exceeded our expectations. People from other tables greeted us and offered to take photos with our MDS cameras so no one would be left out. Mr. Landry remembered us from our visit a year ago, and made sure the other tables knew what we were doing in southwest Louisiana. Mrs. Landry, at 81 years old, defied all expectations with the delicious meals she produced for the 17 MDS people, plus all the regular Saturday evening clients. Needless to say, we had a great time visiting and enjoying the relaxed meal.

As our visiting continued, I began to wonder when the bill would be arriving. We had a two hour drive to return to Cameron and did not want to get back too late. Not seeing any movement in that direction, I got up to ask the server for our bill. She met me half-way across the room and said that our bill had been taken care of. My shocked reaction prompted her to repeat that “The entire bill for your group has been paid by one of the other tables… anonymously.” Once that word passed around the MDS table, we began to gather our things and milled about giving parting greetings. We wanted to thank someone, but did not know whom to thank. The server repeated that the patron wanted to remain anonymous. What a jolt! Our meal and visit had been changed from a delightful evening into an awesome experience.

As we enter our third month of volunteers in Cameron, we have lots of those awesome experiences. Whether the service is as small as recertification of a propane tank, two hours of computer de-bugging, three months of scaffold use, or driving piling for one of our houses, there is a sense of awe each time a vendor says that there is no charge for you, you’re MDS. How can you respond to that? I know it is not about me. Instead it’s about the organization and those hundreds of volunteers who leave home for some period of time and give of themselves in Jesus name. 

The short term volunteers for the week after our New Iberia trip were from Pennsylvania and included many skilled and willing hands and feet. But, as the three new homes marched closer to completion, we knew it was neither about any one person nor any one group who’ve come to Cameron Parish. When walls are painted, cabinets installed, and the concrete slab troweled to nice finish at our Hackberry project, we know it is not just this week’s work that makes this house look like it’s about ready to move in. When drywall is hung, steps are built and concrete is placed for the house in Cameron, we can look back to the block work of January and the framing of early February that defined the shape of the house. When working in bright sunshine on the vinyl siding, the steps and railings for the house on Creole Highway, we can still see the deep ruts made by the concrete trucks on those cold, rainy, muddy days in December. We realize that it’s not about us, and the days of fun and hard work are changed into an awesome experience. We realize that we are being used by God to further the work He had planned to do.

And then the light clicks on and we remember that God’s Son has already paid the bill for our new lives in Him. Now, that’s awesome.

At the end of the week, it was time to say farewell. The people from Hinkletown departed for home, and when we added the six of our long-term volunteers who were leaving, there were a lot of farewells. Yet, we could all look back at some awesome experiences.

From Cameron Parish,
Melford, Verla, Martha, Laura and Carl… saying farewell to Cindy, Dennis, Polly, Don, Evie and Bob.